A block-party peek at the Roxy Theatre revamp

Although it may feel like the historic Roxy Theater has been a perpetual revamp-in-progress, a legitimate unveiling might be coming, finally, soon.

A little background: The theater, once the anchor of a bustling commercial district in the McFerrin Park/Cleveland Park area, has been mostly un-bustling since 1990, after its initial closure way back in 1959 and a mix of changes in use. Renewal efforts have popped up and stalled through the years… you might remember us asking in 2013 if the revival was “here at last?”

In 2016, the latest plan was unveiled — a restaurant/live venue project, led by an investment group that includes partners Elliot Kyle, Jamie Pfeffer, Rob Lowe, and McClain Towery.

Fast-forward to 2018, and things in and around the Roxy are, at-last at last, coming together. For the past few years, that crew has been working diligently with a hope of returning the district to its glory days.

They already have some praise-worthy accomplishments under their belts, having worked on renovating and preserving several nearby buildings that now house new businesses, including high-end restaurant Folk, and soon, Bond Collective coworking in the former Ray of Hope church, and Red Headed Stranger, another new restaurant from the folks behind Butcher & Bee.

So, the Roxy reboot: At this very moment, it’s still in a fairly raw stage, but it’s moving along. And neighbors who’ve been itching to see the latest in person will get a chance to, as the first-ever Nashville Design Week hosts its Closing Block Party there on Thursday, Nov. 15.

That event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and is free and open to all, with a design market wrangled by the folks behind Porter Flea, food from neighbors-in-process Red Headed Stranger, music from Sparkle City Disco, food trucks, specialty drinks, a photo booth, and lots more, all celebrating both Nashville Design Week and that rebooted, once-again-busy corner of East Nashville.

The team is working, as we speak, to get the Roxy ready for visitors; we’ll hopefully have a few more details about what’s in place and when the space might open shortly, and will update.

Two Son shutting its doors

One of East Nashville’s most fashionable shopping stops is closing its doors: The folks behind Two Son, open at 918 Main St. since late 2015, announced that the coming weekend will be the store’s last.

The shop, which has been stocked with a highly curated, high-end collection of clothing, accessories, and home goods, bowed to high-profile attention — within days of opening, Two Son was already earning plaudits from Vogue magazine, which said it was “Giving NYC Retail a Run for Its Money.”

“It’s been a wild ride and we have learned so much and are very proud and grateful to have been a part of the Nashville retail community over the years,” a goodbye note read.

As they’re winding down, there are deep discounts to be had on their remaining inventory: a slashing of 60 percent in store, and 50 percent off online at twoson.co, with the code 50OFF.

Posted hours, if you’d like to pop in to see what kind of scores you can snag: Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5.

Kettner Coffee Supply coming to The Eastland in East Nashville

In case you missed it Thursday: Another new East Nashville caffeine provider is on the way. Kettner Coffee Supply, a new concept from public relations pro and hospitality vet Hannah Schneider, is aiming for an early 2019 opening at 1035 W. Eastland Ave., Ste 1045, in the mixed-use The Eastland complex.

Schneider, who also helmed Sylvan Heights spot Salt & Vine and runs PR firm Hannah Schneider Creative, chose the spot in part because it’s close to home. Really close to home.

“After being a resident of The Eastland for over a year, I am so excited to be joining this great location in a business setting,” she said in a release. “My goal is to continue serving the East Nashville neighborhood that I have grown to love, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to do so alongside three other women-owned businesses, including Darling Salon & Blowout Bar, The Bookshop and Peninsula.”

The name is a nod to Schneider’s favorite street in her first home, San Diego, and she’s planning on offering high-end Nicaraguan coffee, along with a simple grab-and-go or stay-and-sit food menu.

If you’d like to keep up with the latest as they work toward the opening, follow Kettner Coffee Supply on Instagram at @kettnercoffeesupply (supplier of the photo above). For more on Hannah Schneider Creative, check out hannahschneidercreative.com.

Will Hoge brings ‘American Dream’ home

Nashville rock mainstay Will Hoge — a member of the East Nashvillian covers club — released his latest album, My American Dream, last month, and it’s… particularly poignant, right now.

Tackling a range of societal ills — from political corruption to gun violence — the album was something Hoge said he needed to get out.

“Those things kept me up at night — and this record was less expensive than therapy,” he said in a release. “Silence couldn’t be a part of my deal anymore.”

His intent comes through particularly clearly in the video for album track “Thoughts & Prayers,” which you can watch above.

A current run of dates in support of the new album winds back home to East Nashville on Friday, Nov. 23, when Hoge headlines The Basement East, before heading overseas with Memphis band Lucero. Tickets for that hometown show are on sale now ($20 advance, $25 day of).

The Tom Hanks Bar Crawl asks its participants to don their favorite Hanks attire for a tour through six East Nashville bars, all designed to raise funds for East Nashville’s Fannie Battle Day Home for Children. Very silly fun, for a very good cause.

QUICK BITS

— If you’re a vegetarian, a vegan, or just a general fan of hemp, an event coming up Monday that’ll probably appeal: The folks from East Nashville’s the BE-Hive are hosting a six-course “Hempsgiving” dinner on Monday, Nov. 12 at Graze, with an entire menu of plant-based, CBD-infused, autumnal-vibed dishes. Think winter squash bisque with hemp seeds, cranberry pumpkin cake with hemp caramel and the like. Tickets run $85 per person (available for purchase online), and mealtime runs 6:30-9 p.m. Check out more at the Hempsgiving Event page.

— Another cool neighborhood food event this Thanksgiving season: Gratefull: Nashville aims to bring East Nashville neighbors together to share a meal, out in the air. The potluck event is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19 outside at 701 Fatherland St., with “no fee, no expectations, and no agenda — just an open invitation.” Some local restaurants are contributing food, but if you’d like pitch in too, info on how to sign up at the Gratefull Event page.

— Upper Eastside Nashville is ringing in the holiday season with their Annual Holiday Kick-off Party, set for Friday, Nov. 16 at their place (937 Woodland), with snacks, drinks, pop-up shopping, and more. Runs 4-8 p.m.

— Fun thing from the Flora Plant Shop folks: They recently partnered with Brown Fox Collective to create a line of signature candles. The first Flora-branded candles, available in amber jars and tins, are scented with a mix of oakmoss, vetiver, rosewood, and soil.

— Also holiday-shopping related, for the folks buying gifts for little ones: Local baby-goods brand Scout Baby is hosting a pop-up residency here in the neighborhood, Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, at Emily Arrow’s Singalong Shop in the Shoppes on Fatherland (1100 Fatherland St., Ste. 107).

— If you’ve been looking for an excuse to check out members-only dog park BarkPark before it closes for the season (or forever?) after Nov. 18, this Friday, Nov. 9, they’ll be hosting a screening of Homeward Bound, 4-8 p.m. Free for members (day passes available), and BYOB (boozes or bones, we’d guess). More at park.bark.co.

— Our most sincere condolences to the Porter Road Butcher family, on the loss of teammate Mark Bilbrey, who passed away this week from injuries sustained in a car accident. A memorial service is scheduled at Belmont Methodist Church (2007 Acklen Ave.) on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10. You can read more about Mark here.